Michael Karol - Lucy A to Z: The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia

Lucy A to Z

The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia

4th Edition

By Michael Karol

Copyright Page

Lucy A to Z

The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia

Fourth Edition, Copyright 2001-2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2012 by Michael Karol

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-0-595-29761-0 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-595-75213-3 (ebk)

Contents

To my mother, who always joked that I had more pictures of Lucy in my apartment than pictures of her.

I miss you, Mom.

And to Craig, without whom this book wouldnt exist.

I miss you, too.

Who will believe that Lucy is married to a Cuban bandleader?

Nervous CBS executives during the filming the I Love Lucy pilot

Cover Illustration: Lucille Ball in 1945, by Harry Warnecke; design 2007 by Michael Karol; image 2007 by Nicholas Orzio.

Back Cover: Authors photo 2007 by the Estate of Craig Hamrick; design 2007 by Michael Karol.

Lucy A to Z covers in Introduction 2007 by Michael Karol

All other photos are from Photofest, unless otherwise noted (i.e., the artist or photographer, or from the authors collection). Visit Photofest online at photofestnyc.com.

I first met Michael Karol at the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York, where I found his book Lucy A to Z: The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia , and quickly learned he was not only a talented writer, but also a lovely person to know. I had the privilege of working for Lucy, a beautiful and remarkable woman, for 27 years, and Ive been a founding member of the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown since her children asked me to participate when it was first talked about. After all those years with Lucy, I can truthfully say that every time I read through one of Michaels books I learn something new about Lucy and her career. This new Fourth Edition of Lucy A to Z is a wonderful read and Im very pleased to recommend it to everyone.

Wanda Clark, October 2007

[ Wanda was Lucille Balls personal secretary for more than a quarter century and a classy lady. For much more on Wanda and her life with Lucy, see the entry Clark, Wanda .]

A Few Words from Lucys Number 1 Fan: Michael Stern

Lucille Balls most ardent supporter answered some questions for me.

How did you become Lucille Balls Official Number 1 Fan?

I was at the right place at the right time. I lived in the Los Angeles area and I was able to receive tickets to see Heres Lucy being filmed (with guest star Bob Cummings). I remember Gary Morton (Lucys second husband) introducing her and her flaming red hair as she entered through the curtains. She ran from one end of the stage to the other while waving and blowing kisses. Actor Jesse White (the former Maytag Repairman) was sitting next to me, so when she said hello to him I knew she was also looking at me.

I was able to go back a few more times over the next two years and on July 12, 1973, after the filming (with guest stars Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme), Lucys mom, DeDe, took me backstage with her and I was introduced to Lucy. I showed her my scrapbook of photos, which she looked at, then she signed an autograph for me and gave me a big kiss on the cheek.

By the time I turned 15, I was able to meet her maybe once or twice a year. She finally took me backstage at a TV guest appearance she was doing with Dick Van Dyke on Van Dyke & Company (1976). She said it was nice that I was a big fan, but she told me, in a stern way, that if I wanted to be her Number 1 fan, I would have to stay in school and get a job. So I did; and since I got a job and was doing well in school, she called me her Number 1 fan.

What does your collection consist of?

My collection consists of over 3,000 items from as small as an autographed matchbook cover with her photo on it, to her cast from when she broke her leg in 1972, to posters that hung in her home. I would love to say the collection is all in my Lucy room but it has spilled into the living room, den, kitchen, closets, and now my parents home as storage.

Whats your favorite piece?

Asking me about my favorite piece is like asking me, Who is my favorite child? I like them all. But I do have special items. My copy of the 1976 book Lucy & Ricky & Fred & Ethel is one of my favorites, because over 60 people who either appeared on the show or worked behind the scenes autographed it. Some of the signatures include Lucy, Desi, Vivian, and all the writers, plus the directors and supporting players. I also have a beautiful 11x14-inch photo of Lucy from The Long, Long Trailer that she signed Lucille Ball for me, which as most collectors know is very rare. [Mostly, she just signed Lucy.] And all my photos with Lucy are very special to me.

Lucy was often characterized as lonely, depressed, and strident in her final decades, especially the latter as regards her professional life. Was that the Lucy you knew?

I knew Lucy the last 15 years of her life. I knew two different Lucys. One Lucy was Lucille Ball the actress, who loved her work and loved being with people who shared her love of the work. She loved meeting fans, and it was great to be in her company. The other Lucy I knew was Lucy Morton. Lucy Morton was sometimes a little sad. She was growing older and her friends were dying. She was not working anymore and she really wanted to work even at age 75. Lucy was very distraught after Life with Lucy was canceled in 1986; she thought that no one (including her fans) appreciated her any longer.

Did you get a sense of whether Lucy had any regrets in her life?

Im sure everybody has regrets in life. I know she always thought about going back to school. She always wanted to learn new things. One of her favorite things to do was to read those 20 new words each month in Readers Digest magazine. She always thought one was never too old to learn.

Did Lucy ever talk about how she wished to be remembered?

Yes, Lucy always said shed love to be remembered for her body of work. She thought it was wonderful that anyone of any age could watch any of her shows and they would be able to enjoy her work. Putting a smile on someones face was the best thing that she could ask for. I also remember one time when someone asked her, How does it feel to be an American Legend? She answered, Im just proud to be an American.

Are there any other comments or anecdotes youd like to share?

Knowing Lucy was such an honor. I didnt know it then but I do now. When I was with Lucy, we hardly discussed what she did 30 years earlier. We talked about life in the present. She wanted to know how I was doing at work or school, and about my family, my health, my friends, what I liked to do. She wanted to be an everyday type of person. I think I helped. I loved Lucy, the person.